The Camaro Club (UK)

I,m thinking of driving abroad in the Camaro in the next couple of weeks. Not exactly sure where yet as I have a few options. Is there anyone that has done it or does it regularly that could give me a few tips or advice?

Any information appreciated.

Brian

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"Main Force Patrol we,re out of the game "

Head for the alps every time...

What kind of timescale are you looking at, how much mileage, and with the missus or mate ? All relevant to where you'd want to go..
I did this in 2010: http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/drivin ... ine-north/

I also drive over to Europe alot for work, but usually in a van , still have fun on the bendy bits though

Some great bits in Western France too, but the pick of the crop is Southern France, Italy, Southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Belgium, Northern France, Luxembourg are all very dull and flat, only good to fly to get to the good bits.

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Hey. Thanks for that. I was looking at the French West Coast but also tempted by Kanton Zurich and possibly northern Germany. Thing is I,ve been to Switzerland umpteen times but always flown. Twice a year since I don,t know when. Do you need a breathalyser for France ?

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"Main Force Patrol we,re out of the game "

Yep, need the breathalyser kit for france (comes as a pack of 2), available at most ferries or Eurotunnel, or online from AA, RAC, ebay etc.. only other bits you need are warning triangle, spare bulbs and hi-vis vests, + motorway 'Vignette' for Swizterland and Austria. you shouldn't need snowchains this time of year

The alps really aren't that far, mind you coming down from Scotland will add a bit. It looks like there's a Hull to Zeebrugge, Belgium P&O ferry which will get you straight into the right area.

Area round Zurich is lovely, Zurichsee coast road quite scenic, but very slow and flat. I'd personally head to the Black Forest first then onto the mountain passes. I'd head to Strasboug (easily done in 5 hours from Zeebrugge), then over the border into Germany to Offenburg and some amazing roads using the 33 and 500 down to Switzerland.

The mountain passes are mostly French/Swiss or Italian/Swiss border, so all maximum of a day apart. Once down near Zurich you can go South West to checkout San Bernadino, Splugen pass, Fluella pass, Maloja pass, and Stelvio or course.
Going East back toward Geneva and France you got Col du Pillon, and the amazing Col de Turini (as featured on the Monte Carlo Rally) and from Grenoble down to Nice is The Route de Napolean.

The Italian lakes are well worth checking out if you fancy going a little further south. Very memorable moment of leaving the light snow at 2 degrees C at Stelvio, at 9am and driving a few hours East and having lunch in shorts by the very lovely Lake Maggiore at 28 degrees C.

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Cheers mate. I`ve booked accommodation on the West Coast of France. Going I might travel on down to Toulouse, don`t know yet. My dad lives in Switzerland and I go there twice/three times a year so I chose going west.
I`m travelling Hull -Zeebrugge so I`ll be having a run through Belgium. Means I get a nights sleep (after a couple of beers and the entertainment on the overnight crossing).

The big V8 is going on her first trip abroad . Woo hoo!!!

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"Main Force Patrol we,re out of the game "

Excellent.. I can see how going to Switzerland might not be so different for you.

Got any route ideas. Are you going to stick on the (unfeasonably expensive) motorway tolls, or head off for some backroads ?
Quite a nice drive from the coast at Mont Saint-Michel near Avranches inland to Le Mans, then you could swing by Le Mans on the way and I think the museum is open all year round, and quite interesting.

Avoid Paris if possible..

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Hadn`t actually took the motorway fee into consideration to be honest.

Just try AA euro routeplanner and typr Zeebrugge to Saint Nazaire then La Rochelle. Thats kinda where i`m heading first.

Still, I`m looking forward to it. I`m going to have to look into breakdown cover ( that hopefully I won`t need).

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"Main Force Patrol we,re out of the game "

French motorway tolls are high. Probably the reason they're not clogged up with trucks and are well maintained.
It cost about €170 from Nice to Calais back in the winter.

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Stu whats the deal avoiding Paris? I`ve just read that somewhere else too.

Is it the cost or congestion or the general mayhem? My AA routeplanner takes me right through Paris (but still on the motorways)

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"Main Force Patrol we,re out of the game "

Do avoid Paris - there are plenty of ways to avoid it - its very busy. Consider also getting a tag for the toll booths, cost aside - you pay anyway, trying to pay at a booth when sat in a Camaro is far from easy, not all peage are manned.